Object-oriented visual program development system for handling program entity including pre-processing function and post-processing sections

ABSTRACT

A program development system which develops a program sequence by generating a diagram composed of a combination of icons, and which can apply an object-oriented scheme to the development of an application program for a parallel, real time processor. Each program entity symbolized by one of the icons includes a pre-processing section coded in a programming language for determining parameters in a message issued to an object; a function section for storing information about a linkage between the icon symbolizing the program entity and a procedure included in one of objects in an object library; and a post-processing section coded in a programming language for interpreting a message sent back from the object. When executing the program, each program entity is linked with the procedure in the object in the object library. This makes it possible to reduce coding labor, and to improve the quality of the program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool for developing programs executedin a parallel, real time processor, and particularly to anobject-oriented visual program development system for handling programentity, including pre-processing, function and post-processing sectionsfor developing program sequences using graphical user interface (GUI) onan object-oriented basis, and to a method thereof.

2. Description of the Background Art

Here, the term “parallel, real time processing” refers to a process thathandles a plurality of events in parallel to achieve one objective. Atypical example of this is an automatic teller machine (ATM) of afinancial institution that carries out deposits and withdrawals byperforming in parallel such processes as communications with a hostcomputer, reading of magnetic stripes on a card and a passbook, andprinting in the passbook or on a receipt.

Although a common type ATM installed in a financial institution such asa bank reads either a cash card or a passbook, a new type of machine canread both of them in parallel. Although the former does not carry outparallel, real time processing, the latter does.

In developing application program sequences without requiring parallel,real time processings, a visual programming development environment hasbeen conventionally provided using an object-oriented scheme that can beloaded into a personal computer or workstation. The visual programmingdevelopment environment refers herein to an environment for developingprogram sequences using graphics such as a GUI (Graphical UserInterface). As presently-available visual programming developmentenvironment, there are “Visual Basic” (trade name) and “Visual C++”(trade name) developed by Microsoft Corporation.

In developing programs for parallel, real time processors, however, ithas been considered to be difficult to implement the visual programmingdevelopment environment based on the object-oriented scheme because ofdifficulty of modeling the coordination between objects that execute theparallel processes. Here, an “object” in the object-oriented programmingrefers to a combination of a data item (such as variables, characters,numbers, and the like, which are also called property) with procedures(also called methods, a set of commands that can be executed on theobject) associated with the data item.

Accordingly, in developing programs for parallel, real time processors,a conventional program development scheme has been generally employed inwhich manual coding using a programming language such as C language orPL/1 is required in its final stage. Thus, the coding using the existingprogramming language is common in developing application programsequences for the parallel, real time processors. This, however, doesnot always lead to high quality programs though it requires a largeamount of effort and time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anobject-oriented, visual program development system for handling programentities including pre-processing, function and post-processing sectionssuitable for developing application program sequences for parallel, realtime processors, and a method thereof.

Specifically, in the object-oriented, visual program development systemin accordance with the present invention for developing programsequences using graphical user interface on the object-oriented basis,each program entity, which is symbolized by an icon used in generating adiagram, has the following structural components:

(1) a pre-processing section coded in a programming language forperforming a first operation such as determining parameters of a messagesent to the object associated with the program entity;

(2) a function section for storing information indicating a method orprocedure in the object in an object library; and

(3) a post-processing section coded in a programming language forperforming a second operation such as interpreting a message sent backfrom the object.

In an aspect of the present invention, a parallel, real time processorcomprises: an object library including objects; a diagram storage forstoring a program obtained from a diagram composed of a combination oficons, each of which symbolizing a program entity which includes apre-processing section coded in a programming language for performing afirst operation, a function section for storing information about alinkage between the program entity and a procedure in one of the objectsin the object library, and a post-processing section coded in aprogramming language for performing a second operation; an icon storagefor storing program entities associated with the icons used ingenerating the diagram; and an interpreter for interpreting the programstored in the diagram storage using the program entities associated withthe icons stored in the icon storage, whereby the parallel, real timeprocessor interprets the program with the interpreter when executing theprogram, and executes the program by making correspondence of eachprogram entity to the procedure in the object in the object library.

In another aspect of the present invention, an automatic transactionmachine comprises: an object library including card objects and passbookobjects; a diagram storage for storing a program obtained from a diagramcomposed of a combination of icons, each of which symbolizing a programentity which includes a pre-processing section coded in a programminglanguage for performing a first operation, a function section forstoring information about a linkage between the program entity and aprocedure in one of objects in the object library including the cardobjects and the passbook objects, and a post-processing section coded ina programming language for performing a second operation; an iconstorage for storing program entities associated with the icons used ingenerating the diagram; and an interpreter for interpreting the programstored in the diagram storage using the program entities associated withthe icons stored in the icon storage, whereby the automatic transactionmachine interprets the program with the interpreter when executing theprogram, and executes the program by making correspondence of eachprogram entity to the procedures in the card object and the passbookobject in the object library.

Thus structuring the program entities symbolized by icons and allowingcoding of the pre-processing and post-processing sections duringgeneration of the diagram, makes it possible to facilitate the systemmodeling based on the object-oriented scheme, serving to improvereusability of the objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become moreapparent from consideration of the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configurationof an embodiment of an object-oriented visual program development systemfor a parallel, real time processor in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configurationof the parallel, real time processor capable of executing a programdeveloped by the object-oriented, visual program development systemshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating relationships of a diagramwith an interpreter and an object library in executing the program,which has been developed by the object-oriented, visual programdevelopment system shown in FIG. 1, by the parallel, real time processorshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of aprogram entity symbolized by an icon, which is one of thecharacteristics of the embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5H show examples of icons with special functions, which differfrom block icons applied in generating the diagram of the embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a flowchart useful for understanding how the diagramis generated in the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagram generatingimage displayed on a display screen of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates placing of an icon on the diagram generating image;

FIG. 9 illustrates the generation of the diagram by placing icons andconnecting them on the diagram generating image;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the diagramgenerated by the method illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating coding of thepre-processing section and the post-processing section included in theblock icon of the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart useful for understanding the operation of aparallel, real time processor executing the diagram generated by theobject-oriented, visual program development system;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart useful for understanding the operation ofprocessing a block icon associated with “insert card” shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplified configuration ofan object library;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing relationships between theinterpreter and the object library; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a diagram of analternative embodiment including a cancel icon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, showing a functional configuration of an embodimentof an object-oriented visual program development system 10 for aparallel, real time processor in accordance with the present invention,the program development system 10 for developing programs usinggraphical user interface (GUI) on the object-oriented basis generallycomprises an input device 11, a display unit 12, a diagram generator 13,an icon storage 14, a diagram storage 15, an interpreter 16, an objectlibrary 17 and a hardware simulator 18.

More specifically, the input device 11 is adapted to select icons forgenerating a diagram. The display unit 12 displays a diagram during andafter its generation. The diagram generator 13 generates the diagram.The icon storage 14 is adapted to store the program entities symbolizedby the icons used in generating the diagram. The diagram storage 15stores the diagram generated by the diagram generator 13. Theinterpreter 16 interprets and executes the diagram generated by thediagram generator 13, and the object library 17 includes a plurality ofobjects.

The hardware simulator 18 is adapted to simulate the hardware with whichparallel, real time processor is equipped. More specifically, thehardware simulator 18 includes software, or program sequences, adaptedfor simulating the operation of the parallel, real time processor toverify the functions of the program developed by the program developmentsystem 10 without using the parallel, real time processor.

In the FIG. 1 system, it is possible for a computer program sequence toimplement the processing such as generating a diagram, storing icons,storing the diagram, interpretation, storing objects, and hardwaresimulation, and controlling them to generate a target program sequence.It is preferable to store the computer program sequence in acomputer-readable main memory or an auxiliary storage. For example, itcan be recorded on an auxiliary memory, such as a ROM, flash memory,involatile RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, IC memory card, magnetictape.

Now referring to FIG. 2, which schematically shows the functionalconfiguration of the parallel, real time processor 20 capable ofexecuting the program developed by the program development system 10shown in FIG. 1, the parallel, real time processor 20 comprises adiagram storage 21 for storing the program developed by the programdevelopment system 10, an interpreter 22 for interpreting and executingthe diagram stored in the diagram storage 21, an icon storage 23 forstoring program entities symbolized by icons used in generating thediagram, an object library 24 storing objects, an operating systemstorage 25 for storing an operating system, and hardware 26. Thehardware 26, which is directed to a processing system, includes a CPU, amain memory, an auxiliary storage, an input device, a display unit, andthe like.

In a specific application where the parallel, real time processor 20 isapplied to an ATM for a financial institution, the hardware 26 includesa customer display, a card reader/writer, a passbook/receipt printer,peripheral devices controlled by the CPU such as a communication controlunit for controlling communications with a host computer, and the like.

In the system shown in FIG. 2 also, it is possible for a computerprogram sequence to implement the processing such as storing a diagram,storing the icons, interpretation, storing objects and storing theoperating system. It is preferable to store the computer programsequence in a computer-readable main memory or auxiliary storage. Forexample, it can be recorded on a ROM, flash memory, involatile RAM,magnetic disk, optical disk, IC memory card, magnetic tape, or the like.

Now, FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates relationships of a diagram 31with the interpreter 22 and object library 24 when executing theprogram, which has been developed by the program development system 10shown in FIG. 1, by the parallel, real time processor 20 shown in FIG.2. In the system shown in FIG. 3, a block Obj1/method1 is connected toblocks Obj1/method2 and Obj2/method1, the block Obj1/method2 isconnected to a block Obj3/method1 which is in turn connected to thesynchronous icon sync, and the Obj2/method1 is also connected to thesynchronous icon sync. The synchronous icon sync makes a request to thenext icon when receiving a request from the blocks Obj3/method1 andObj2/method1. In FIG. 3, the objects Obj1, Obj2 and Obj3 in the objectlibrary 24 each include methods method1-methodn. Thus, the programentities symbolized by the icons in the diagram 31 are linked with themethods method1-methodn in the objects Obj1—Obj3 constituting the objectlibrary 24 via the icon storage 23, when they are executed by theparallel, real time processor 20 shown in FIG. 2.

For example, the block Obj1/method1 in the diagram 31 is linked withObj1/method1 in the object library 24, and the block Obj1/method2 in thediagram 31 is linked with Obj1/method2 in the object library 24.Likewise, the block Obj2/method1 in the diagram 31 is linked withObj2/method1 in the object library 24, and the block Obj3/method1 in thediagram 31 is linked with Obj3/method1 in the object library 24.

The term “object-oriented, parallel, visual programming environment” inthe instant specification refers to the programming environment formedby the diagram generator 13, icon storage 14 or 23, interpreter 16 or22, and object library 17 or 24.

Now referring to FIG. 4, that illustrates the internal structure of aprogram entity symbolized by an icon, which is one of thecharacteristics of the present embodiment, the icon symbolizing theprogram entity with such a structure is called a “block icon” from nowon to distinguish it from an icon used for special purposes as will bedescribed later. The program entity symbolized by the block icon P100 isstored in the icon storage 14 and icon storage 23.

The program entity symbolized by the block icon P100 includes apre-processing section B1, a function section B2, a post-processingsection B3 and a data section B4. The pre-processing section B1determines, in response to an external request 200, parameters in amessage issued to the method of the object linked to the functionsection B2. The function section B2 has information about the linkageconnecting the block icon with the method in the object constituting theobject library. The post-processing section B3 analyzes, in response tothe message sent back from the method, the result of executing themethod linked with the function section B2, and sets the analyzed result202 at the interface with the interpreter 16 or 22. The data section B4stores local variables and constants in the program entity symbolized bythe block icon.

Furthermore, the pre-processing section B1 has the data section B4 carryout data update 210. The data section B4 makes references 212 and 214 tothe pre-processing section B1 and post-processing section B3,respectively, and the post-processing section B3 performs an update 216of the data section B4. The post-processing section B3 can also output asuccess 218, error 220, cancellation 222 and caution 224 as a result ofthe analysis.

Thus, forming the structure of the program entity symbolized by theblock icon P100 in conjunction with making the coding of the processesto be executed in the pre-processing section B1 and post-processingsection B3 possible during the generation of the diagram, as will bedescribed later, can eliminate the need for carrying out, in theindividual objects provided by the object libraries 17 and 24,processing associated with various events having occurred in theparallel processing executed in the parallel, real time processor 20.This facilitates the system modeling using the object-oriented scheme,thus helping improvement of the reusability of the objects.

Next, another type of icons having special functions and used forgenerating the diagram will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5H.These icons are used to represent on the diagram a control structure ina common program sequence or a control structure unique to the parallel,real time processings, and differ from the block icons in that they havenothing to do with the objects in the object library.

FIG. 5A illustrates a start icon representing the start of a program,and FIG. 5B illustrates an end icon for terminating the program sequencewhen receiving a request from an icon C. FIG. 5C illustrates a blockicon which has been described above in connection with FIG. 4, and thedescription thereof will be omitted here. FIG. 5D illustrates asynchronous icon which makes a request to the icon C only when itreceives requests from a plurality of icons such as icons A and B whileit awaits them.

FIG. 5E illustrates a decision icon which makes a decision in responseto a request from the icon A, and makes a request to the icon C when theresult of the decision is true, whereas to the icon D when it is false.FIG. 5F illustrates a condition icon which makes a decision in responseto the request from the icon A and makes a request to a plurality oficons (such as icons C, D and F, for example) in response to the resultof the decision.

FIG. 5G illustrates a cancel icon which terminates the operation of theicon B and makes a request to the icon C, at an instant when it receivesa request from the icon A. FIG. 5H illustrates a critical region iconwhich terminates, in response to a previous request from among aplurality of icons (two icons A and B, for example), the operation ofthe icons other than the icon that has issued the previous request, andmakes a request to the icon C.

Next, FIGS. 6A and 6B show a flow adapted for generating a diagramcarried out by running the computer program sequence. FIGS. 6A and 6Bare connected by the connection letter A. The developing method of aprogram sequence for the parallel, real time processor in the presentembodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 6A together withFIG. 1. First, when an operator starts the diagram generator 13 byinputting instructions through the input device 11 at step P1, thediagram generator 13 has the display unit 12 display an image forgenerating the diagram at step P2. Then, the operator instructs whetherto generate or change the diagram through the input device 11 at stepP3. When the change in the diagram is instructed at step P4, the diagramgenerator 13 fetches the diagram from the diagram storage 15, and hasthe display unit 12 display it at step P5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the diagram generating image on the display unit 12in the present embodiment. A set of icons is displayed on its screen 70,which set includes the start icon 71, end icon 72, cancel icon 73,synchronous icon (sync) 74, condition icon 75, decision icon 76,critical region icon 77, block-1 icon 78, block-2 icon 79, block-3 icon80, block-4 icon 81 and block-5 icon 82.

Afterward, the operator carries out the generation or modification ofthe diagram in the same way as in the conventional visual programmingmethod without involving the parallel, real time processing at stepsP6-P9, FIG. 6B. More specifically, making a decision at step P6 whetherthe job up to the foregoing step P5, FIG. 6A, has been completed, theoperator instructs the diagram generator 13 to generate or change thediagram at step P7 by inputting instructions through the input device11. Thus, the diagram generator 13 has the display unit 12 display thegenerated or changed diagram at step P8.

Subsequently, when completing the generation or change of the diagram,the operator instructs the diagram generator 13 at step P9 that the jobhas been completed by inputting instructions on the input device 11.Then, returning to step P6 again to confirm the completion of the job,the diagram generator 13 converts the diagram into a form interpretableby the interpreter 16 after confirming the completion of the job, andstores it in the diagram storage 15 at step P10, thus ending the diagramgeneration.

Specifically, the operator works with the diagram by selecting the iconswith the input device 11 such as a mouse or the like pointing device asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, places the selected icons on desired positionson the diagram generation image, and connects these icons, therebygenerating or changing the diagram. FIG. 8 illustrates a screen 90displaying a start icon 83, block-2 icon 84 and end icon 85, which areselected with the mouse and put in positions by moving a cursor 86,besides the start icon 71, end icon 72, cancel icon 73, synchronous icon(sync) 74, condition icon 75, decision icon 76, critical region icon 77,block-1 icon 78, block-2 icon 79, block-3 icon 80, block-4 icon 81 andblock-5 icon 82.

FIG. 9 illustrates the screen 90 displaying, besides the above icons,start icon 91, block-1 icon 96, block-2 icon 92, block-3 icon 94,block-4 icon 97, block-5 icons 93 and 95, synchronous icon 98, and endicon 99, which are selected with the mouse, and interconnected aftermoved and put in positions with a cursor 86.

As shown in FIG. 9, the start icon 91 is connected with the block-2 icon92 and block-5 icon 95, the block-2 icon 92 is connected with theblock-5 icon 93, the block-5 icon 93 is connected with the block-3 icon94, the block-3 icon 94 is connected with the synchronous icon 98, theblock-5 icon 95 is connected with the block-1 icon 96, the block-1 icon96 is connected with the block-4 icon 97, the block-4 icon 97 isconnected with the synchronous icon 98, and the output of thesynchronous icon 98 is connected with the end icon 99.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the diagram generated by the computerprogram processing in accordance with the method illustrated in FIGS. 7,8 and 9. In FIG. 10, the diagram DD represents, in an ATM installed in afinancial institution such as a bank, the operation of an applicationprogram for executing the processing in parallel beginning from readinga card and a passbook inserted to the ATM and ending by returning themto a customer.

The diagram DD is a combination of a start icon Q, block iconsP101-P106, synchronous icon R and end icon V. More specifically, thestart icon Q is connected with the block icons P101 and P104, the blockicon P101 is connected with the block icon P102, the block icon P102 isconnected with the block icon P103, and the block icon P103 is connectedwith the synchronous icon R. In parallel with this, the block icon P104is connected with the block icon P105, the block icon P105 is connectedwith the block icon P106, and the block icon P106 is connected with thesynchronous icon R. Then, the output of the synchronous icon R isconnected to the end icon V. Thus, the two series of block icons areprocessed along the foregoing routes.

Furthermore, the present embodiment makes it possible to carry out, inthe foregoing generating or changing process of the diagram, coding ofthe processings to be executed by the pre-processing section andpost-processing section in each program entity symbolized by each one ofthe icons selected and disposed on the screen. This operation isperformed as follows, for example.

First, by clicking one of the icons selected and disposed on the screenwith the mouse, an image 110 associated with the icon is displayed asshown in FIG. 11. The image 110 includes windows 111 and 112 forinputting program codes into the pre-processing section B1 andpost-processing section B3, FIG. 4, and an “OK” icon 113, a “BlockParameter” icon 114 and a “Cancel” icon 115, which are provided to beselected.

The program codes can be input into the windows 111 and 112 from thekeyboard using an existing programming language such as C language. Itis also possible to prepare for the pre-processing section B1 andpost-processing section B3 icons corresponding to program entities whosecodings have already been prepared.

The window 112 representing the post-process code displays a commandcode “InsertCard=objMSResult. resultType” input therein. Subsequently,in response to the instructions to complete the operation from theoperator, the diagram generator 13, FIG. 1, converts the diagram into aprogram in the form of an intermediate language interpretable by theinterpreter 22 in the parallel real time processor 20 shown in FIG. 2,and stores the diagram plus the program in the form of the intermediatelanguage into the diagram storage 21 (see, step P10 of FIG. 10).

Since the program development system 10 of the present embodiment isprovided with the interpreter 16, object library 17 and hardwaresimulator 18 as shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the diagram on theparallel real time processor 20, which was generated through the programprocedure as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, can be simulated and verified bythe program development system 10.

The object-oriented, visual program development system in accordancewith the present invention is not limited to the specific configurationof the foregoing embodiment. For example, the interpreter 16, objectlibrary 17 and hardware simulator 18 can be removed from theobject-oriented, visual program development system, if the function isunnecessary to simulate and verify the operation of the program sequencedeveloped by the present program development system. In this case, theverification of the program sequence can be achieved by actually runningthe parallel, real time processor.

In addition, it is possible for the diagram generator 13 in FIG. 1 togenerate a program sequence in its execute form by carrying out linkageand editing between the program entities symbolized by the block iconsand the objects in the object library 17.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when the diagramgenerated by the program development system 10 shown in FIG. 1 isexecuted by running the program sequence in the parallel, real timeprocessor 20 shown in FIG. 2. First, the interpreter 22 interprets thediagram at step S1. Subsequently, the parallel, real time processor 20processes the respective icons on the routes from the start icon to theend icon at step S2.

More specifically, in the diagram shown in FIG. 10, it starts theoperation from the start icon Q, and processes the block icons P101-P103in parallel with the block icons P104-P106. Subsequently, receivingresults from the block icons P103 and P106, the synchronous icon R makesa request to the end icon V, thus completing the processing.

FIG. 13 shows in a flowchart, as an example, the operation when thecomputer executes the program sequence associated with the “insert card”block icon P101 of FIG. 10. In this case, we assume that the objectlibrary 24 in the parallel, real time processor 20 has a structure asshown in FIG. 14.

As can be seen from FIG. 14, the object library 24 includes a card 241and a passbook 242 as objects. The object “card” 241 includes “insertcard” 241 a, “read card” 241 b and “return card” 241 c as methods. Theobject “passbook” 242 includes “insert passbook” 242 a, “read passbook”242 b and “return passbook” 242 c as methods.

FIG. 15 illustrates relationships between the components of the diagramDD shown in FIG. 10, the interpreter 22 and the object library 24 shownin FIG. 14. The diagram DD, having the same configuration as that shownin FIG. 10, executes in parallel the processing of “insert, read andreturn card” P101-P103, and the processing of “insert, read and returnpassbook” P104-P106, and after this processing, it has the synchronousicon R synchronize the processings and notify the end icon V of thecompletion.

The operation involved in the method “insert card” proceeds as follows.At step S4, FIG. 13, a program sequence stored in the pre-processingsection B1 in the block icon P100 shown in FIG. 4 is executed.Subsequently, at step S5, the interpreter 22 sends to the object library24 a message to execute the method “insert card” 241 a in the object“card” 241 as indicated by step S10, FIG. 5, illustrating therelationships between the interpreter 22 and the object library 24. Thisoperation is carried out by referring to the information about themethod stored in the function section B2, FIG. 4, in the block iconP100.

Afterward, at step S6, executing the method “insert card” 241 a in theobject “card” 241, the CPU reports to the interpreter 22 about theprogress and result of executing the method “insert card” 241 a asindicated by step S12 in FIG. 15. The method is executed by controllinghardware 26, FIG. 2, through the operating system 25 to carry out theoperations involved in the method.

Next, at step S7, the program sequence stored in the post-processingsection B3, FIG. 4, in the block icon P100, is executed. Subsequently,at step S8, the interpreter 22 shown in FIG. 15 determines the next iconto be executed on the basis of a result of the analysis sent from theobject method carried out by then post-processing section B3.

Referring to FIG. 16, which shows another configuration of the diagram,the diagram DC is the same as the diagram DD shown in FIG. 10 exceptthat it includes a cancel icon W interposed, as depicted before thesynchronous icon R with respect to the direction of the control flow.

In the diagram DC, FIG. 16, the operation starts from the start icon Q,and carries out parallel processings of the block icons P101-P103associated with the “insert card, read card, return card”, and of theblock icons P104-P106 associated with the “insert passbook, readpassbook, return passbook”. Receiving the result of the block icon P103associated with the “card/return card”, the cancel icon W cancels theoperation of the block icon P106 associated with “passbook/returnpassbook”. Then after synchronizing the results of the two icons, thesynchronous icon R makes a request to the end icon V to terminate theprocessings.

Thus applying the cancel icon W to the parallel processings of a programsequence enables the remainder of the parallel processings to becanceled at the instant when a predetermined one of them has beencompleted. This makes it possible to shorten the total programprocessing time as compared with the case that simply awaits thecompletion of all the parallel processings.

As described above, according to the present invention, the programentities, which are symbolized by the block icons used in the diagramand executed by the computer, each comprise the pre-processing section,the function section and the post-processing section. This makes itpossible to implement the program development for the parallel, realtime processor based on the object-oriented, visual programming, whichhas been considered to be difficult by the conventional system. This canreduce an amount of labor of coding which has been carried out using aprogramming language such as C language or PL/1 in the conventionalprogram development, and improve the quality of the program.

The entire desclosure of Japanese patent application No. 106143/1997filed on Apr. 23, 1997 including the specification, claims, accompanyingdrawings and abstract of the disclosure is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiment, it is not to be restricted by theembodiment. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art canchange or modify the embodiment without departing from the scope andspirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of developing an object-oriented, visualprogram sequence, comprising the steps of: preparing program entitiessymbolized by icons, each of said program entities defining an objectincluded in an object library and a method for the object, each of saidprogram entities comprising: a function section linking a correspondingone of the icons that symbolizes the program entity with the method forthe object in an object library, a pre-processing section coded in acomputer language and defining, in response to a request provided fromanother of the objects, a parameter in a first message issued for themethod of the linked method, and a post-processing section coded in acomputer language, interpreting a second message which has been returnedfrom the method, when executed, and is representative of a result fromoperation of the method, and notifying a first interpreter of a resultfrom interpretation of the second message to determine one of theobjects to successively be processed; and generating a diagram composedof a combination of the icons using a graphical user interface based onan object-oriented programming to develop the program sequence.
 2. Aparallel, real time processor comprising: an object library includingobjects; a diagram storage for storing a program sequence obtained froma diagram composed of a combination of icons, each of which iconssymbolizes a program entity, the combination of icons including at leasttwo associated series of icons, said program entity including a functionsection linking a corresponding one of the icons, which symbolizes theprogram entity, with a method for one of the objects, a pre-processingsection coded in a computer language and defining, in response to arequest provided from another of the objects, a parameter in a firstmessage issued for the linked method, and a post-processing sectioncoded in a computer language, interpreting a second message which hasbeen returned from the method, when executed, and is representative of aresult from operation of the method, and notifying a first interpreterof a result from interpretation of the second message to determineanother of the objects successively to be processed; an icon storage forstoring the program entities symbolized by the icons used in generatingthe diagram; and a second interpreter for interpreting the programsequence stored in said diagram storage using the program entitiesstored in said icon storage, said second interpreter interpreting theprogram sequence, when executed, and executing the program sequence bymaking correspondence of each of the program entities to a linked one ofthe methods for one of the objects in said object library.
 3. Theprocessor in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of said programentities further comprises a data section for storing internal localvariables and/or constants.
 4. An automatic transaction machinecomprising: an object library including card and passbook objects; adiagram storage for storing a program sequence obtained from a diagramcomposed of a combination of icons, each of which icons symbolizes oneof a plurality of program entities, the combination of icons includingat least two associated series of icons, each program entity including afunction section linking a corresponding one of the icons thatsymbolizes the program entity with a method for an object, said objectbeing one of the card and passbook objects, a pre-processing sectioncoded in a computer language and defining, in response to a requestprovided from another of the objects, a parameter in a first messageissued for the method of the linked method, and a post-processingsection coded in a computer language, interpreting a second messagewhich has been returned from the method, when executed, and isrepresentative of a result from operation of the method, and notifying afirst interpreter of a result from interpretation of the second messageto determine another of the card and passbook objects to successively beprocessed; an icon storage for storing program entities symbolized bythe icons used in generating the diagram; and a second interpreter forinterpreting the program sequence stored in said diagram storage usingthe program entities stored in said icon storage, said interpreterinterpreting the program sequence, when executed, and executing theprogram sequence by making correspondence of each of the programentities to one of the methods in the card and passbook objects in saidobject library.
 5. The transaction machine in accordance with claim 4,wherein said card object in said object library comprises a cardinsertion method, a card read method and a card return method, and saidpassbook object comprises a passbook insertion method, a passbook readmethod and a passbook return method.
 6. A parallel, real time processingmethod comprising the steps of: storing, in a diagram storage, a programsequence obtained from a diagram composed of a combination of icons, thecombination of icons including at least two associated series of icons,each of which icons symbolizes one of a plurality of program entities,wherein each program entity includes a function section linking acorresponding one of the icons that symbolizes the program entity with amethod for an object included in an object library, a pre-processingsection coded in a computer language and defining, in response to arequest provided from another of the objects, a parameter in a firstmessage issued for the linked method, and a post-processing sectioncoded in a computer language, interpreting a second message which hasbeen returned from the method, when executed, and is representative of aresult from operation of the method, and notifying a first interpreterof a result from interpretation of the second message to determine oneof the objects successively to be processed; storing, in an iconstorage, the program entities symbolized by the icon- used in generatingthe diagram; and interpreting, with a second interpreter, the programsequence stored in the diagram storage using the program entities storedin the icon storage, whereby the program sequence is interpreted withthe second interpreter when executed, and executed by makingcorrespondence of each of the program entities to a linked one of themethods for one of the objects in the object library.
 7. An automatictransaction method comprising the steps of: storing, in a diagramstorage, a program sequence obtained from a diagram composed of acombination of icons, the combination of icons including at least twoassociated series of icons, each of the icons symbolizing a programentity that includes a function section linking the icon with a methodfor an object, said object being one of card and passbook objectsincluded in an object library, a pre-processing section coded in acomputer language and performing a first operation in response to arequest provided from another of the objects, the first operationdefining a parameter in a first message issued for the linked method,and a post-processing section coded in a computer language, performing asecond operation interpreting a second message which has been returnedfrom the method, when executed, and is representative of a result fromoperation of the linked method, and notifying a first interpreter of aresult from interpretation of the second message to determine anotherone of the card and passbook objects successively to be processed;storing, in an icon storage, the program entities symbolized by theicons used in generating the diagram; and interpreting, with a secondinterpreter, the program sequence stored in the diagram storage usingthe program entities stored in the icon storage, whereby the programsequence is interpreted with the second interpreter when executed, andexecuted by making correspondence of each of the program entities to oneof the methods for one of the card and passbook objects in the objectlibrary.
 8. The method in accordance with claim 7, further comprisingthe steps of: executing the first operation defined by thepre-processing section of a card icon; notifying from the secondinterpreter to the object library that a card insertion method in thecard object is to be executed; executing the card insertion method inthe card object; notifying the second interpreter of a progress andresult of said step of executing the card insertion method; executingthe second operation defined by the post-processing section; anddeciding with the second interpreter an icon symbolizing a programentity to be executed next in response to a result of analysis sent fromthe method for the object associated with the post-processing section tothe second interpreter.
 9. A computer program product comprising arecording medium having stored thereon computer readable information,the computer readable information including an object-oriented, visualprogram sequence for developing a program sequence by generating adiagram composed of a combination of icons using a graphical userinterface based on object-oriented programming, said program sequencecomprising a program entity symbolized by one of the icons and definingan object included in an object library and a method for the object,said program entity comprising: a function section linking one iconsymbolizing the program entity with the method for the object; apre-processing section coded in a computer language and defining, inresponse to a request provided from another of the objects, a parameterin a first message issued for the linked method; and a post-processingsection coded in a computer language, interpreting a second messagewhich has been returned from the linked method, when executed, and isrepresentative of a result from operation of the linked method, andnotifying an interpreter of a result from interpretation of the secondmessage to determine a next object successively to be processed.
 10. Acomputer readable product, comprising a recording medium storingcomputer readable information, the computer readable informationincluding a parallel, real time application program for performing thesteps of: storing, in a diagram storage, a program sequence obtainedfrom a diagram composed of a combination of icons, the combination oficons including at least two associated series of icons, each of theicons symbolizing a program entity that includes a function sectionlinking said each icon with a method for an object included in an objectlibrary, a pre-processing section coded in a computer language anddefining, in response to a request provided from another of the objects,a parameter in a first message issued for the linked method, and apost-processing section coded in a computer language, interpreting asecond message which has been returned from the linked method, whenexecuted, and is representative of a result from operation of the linkedmethod, and notifying a first interpreter of a result frominterpretation of the second message to determine a next objectsuccessively to be processed; storing, in an icon storage, the programentities symbolized by the icons used in generating the diagram; andinterpreting, with a second interpreter, the program sequence stored inthe diagram storage using the program entities stored in the iconstorage, whereby the program is interpreted with the second interpreterwhen executed, and executed by making correspondence of each of theprogram entities to one of the methods in one of the objects in theobject library.
 11. A computer readable product, comprising a recordingmedium storing computer readable information, the computer readableinformation including an object-oriented application program for anautomatic transaction machine, said application program performing thesteps of: storing, in a diagram storage, a program sequence obtainedfrom a diagram composed of a combination of icons, the combination oficons including at least two associated series of icons, each of theicons symbolizing a program entity that includes a function sectionlinking said each icon with a method for one of card and passbookobjects included in an object library, a pre-processing section coded ina computer language and defining, in response to a request provided fromanother of the objects, a parameter in a first message issued for thelinked method, and a post-processing section coded in a computerlanguage, interpreting a second message which has been returned from thelinked method, when executed, and is representative of a result fromoperation of the procedure, and notifying a first interpreter of aresult from interpretation of the second message to determine anotherone of the card and passbook objects next to be successively processed;storing, in an icon storage, the program entities symbolized by theicons used in generating the diagram; and interpreting, with a secondinterpreter, the program sequence stored in the diagram storage usingthe program entities stored in the icon storage, whereby the program isinterpreted with the second interpreter when executed, and executed bymaking correspondence of each of the program entities to one of themethods for one of the card and passbook objects in the object library.12. An object-oriented, visual program development system for developinga program sequence comprising: an object library including objects; anicon storage for storing a program entity that is symbolized by asymbolizing icon among a plurality of icons and defines one of theobjects in said object library; and a diagram generator for generating adiagram composed of a combination of the icons, said generatorselectively combining selected ones of the objects of the library toform the program sequence by designing the diagram using a graphicaluser interface based on an object-oriented programming; said diagramgenerator providing the program entity with a function section linkingthe symbolizing icon with a method for a particular object included insaid object library, a pre-processing section for the particular objectcoded in a computer language and defining, in response to a requestprovided from another of the objects in said object library, a parameterin a first message issued for the linked method, and a post-processingsection coded in a computer language, interpreting a second messagewhich has been returned from the method, when executed, and isrepresentative of a result from operation of the method, and notifyingan interpreter of a result.
 13. The program development system inaccordance with claim 12, wherein said program entity symbolized by saidicon further comprises a data section for storing internal localvariables and/or constants.
 14. The program development system inaccordance with claim 12, further comprising a coding device for coding,in a process of generating said diagram, said pre-processing section andpost-processing section by the computer language.
 15. The programdevelopment system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising aprogram code display device for displaying, in a process of generatingsaid diagram, a window for inputting program codes to saidpre-processing section and post-processing section.
 16. The programdevelopment system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising aconverter for converting said diagram into the program sequence coded inan intermediate language interpretable by an interpreter included in aprocessor using the program sequence.
 17. The program development systemin accordance with claim 12, further comprising a converter forconverting said diagram into a program sequence in a form executable bya processor using the program sequence.
 18. The program developmentsystem in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a converter forconverting said diagram into a program sequence in an execute form in aprocess of generating said diagram sequence, said program sequence beinggenerated by performing linkage and edition between the program entitysymbolized by the icon and the object in the object library.
 19. Theprogram development system in accordance with claim 12, furthercomprising, as one of the icons used in a process of generating thediagram, a cancel icon for canceling, in response to a result from oneof the icons, operation of at least another one of said icons.